Cayenne
Source: Cayenne is native to Central and
South America and Zanzibar.
It grows as a perennial in its native tropical habitat, but in North America
and Europe it is grown as an annual.
Description: Cayenne is a shrublike plant that grows to a
height of 24 inches.
The leaves are elliptical, slightly leathery, dark green and smooth.
The flowers produce pods of flat, white, pungent seeds.
These pods (peppers) range in colour from green when immature to purple, red,
orange or yellow when ripe.
Plants grow well in containers and can be blended into the landscape.
Medicinal Use: Cayenne stimulates the flow of saliva and
stomach secretions.
Saliva contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates, and stomach
secretions contain acids and other digestive substances.
Cayenne is used in many countries as a stomach-settling digestive aid.
Contrary to popular belief, eating hot peppers doesn't harm the stomach although
eating hot peppers may not be a good idea for people who have stomach or intestinal
problems.
For red pepper burns in the mouth or on the skin, milk is the best remedy.
The proteins in milk wash away capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the
heat.
For centuries, herbalists have recommended rubbing red pepper onto sore muscles
and joints.
Medically known as a counterirritant, this treatment causes minor superficial
discomfort but distracts the person from the more severe, deeper pain.
Heet, a capsaicin-based counter-irritant cream, is available over the counter.
Red pepper has been shown to provide more compelling relief for certain kinds
of chronic pain. For reasons still not completely understood, capsaicin interferes
with the action of substance P -- a nerve chemical that sends pain messages
to the brain.
Capsaicin can also help relieve cluster headaches.
Red pepper may help the heart. "It cuts cholesterol levels and reduces
the risk of the internal blood clots that trigger heart attacks," says
Daniel B. Mowrey, PhD, director of the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory
in Salt Lake City, and author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy cayenne's medicinal benefits is simply to season
your food to taste.
Even small amounts of red pepper can be therapeutic.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after using either cayenne. Cayenne
may be kind to your stomach lining, but you definitely don't want to get any
in your eyes.
To aid digestion and possibly reduce the risk of heart disease, experts recommend
cayenne in capsules, available from most herbal stores. Follow the directions
on the package.
Caution: Cayenne should never be used by pregnant
or lactating women.
Culinary uses
Use the fresh or dried whole pods. Grind the dried pods to use as spice.
Culinary Oils and Vinegars
Other Uses
Dried cayenne pods are attractive additions to dried arrangements and crafts. Cayenne can be made into a insect spray for the garden. See Red Pepper Spray Concentrate.
Cultivation
Cayenne needs a sunny location and rich, well-composted soil. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before setting the plants out. Transplant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm.
Harvesting
Pick the pods when the colour has developed fully and hang them up to dry until they are required. The pods may also be used fresh.
